Have you ever been through a crisis? I mean just a good ‘ol hard time, that you did not create? Maybe it was a hurt or sick family member or an accident that caused you some money (that you did not have). Perhaps you were dealing with an unruly child or an ex-spouse that was just so hard to deal with that you just thought you would NEVER make it out with any small part of your sanity (not that I know anything about that. Oh wait, yes I do.) Maybe you have lost a loved one, a job or maybe it was your own failed health you were dealing with. Whatever the occurrence was, it was just plain uninvited & unwanted. I know I have been through a lot of things, that I was like, “Really? This is really happening to me?” There have been a lot of times I just wanted to crawl up in a hole & not have anybody bother me, again. But, alas, there’s always been some sort of responsibility I’ve had to another breathing human, that I had to pick up & go on, anyway. Sometimes I can spend an ample amount of time saying, “Why me?” Followed by wringing of hands & feeling not worthy of the troubles that have been laid upon me. When this happens, I have to remember the writer James in the New Testament.

James 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

What if when faced with problems, I responded with an open heart & mind by saying,

“What are you going to teach me now, Lord?”

Instead, I want to huff & puff & stomp & cry like a two year old in bad need of a nap. This may be part of my problem. You see, I think God humbles us in ways we don’t expect. I think he does it for our benefit. That’s why I have learned in my short time, on this earth, you can be stubborn to a fault. It does not pay to be so hard headed about everything. And if you are, like me, then God will do things to try to soften your heart, so that He can use you in His service. It would appear, just not being a hard head, would be the solution. However, some folks, like me, are just made up that way & it can take dynamite to make them realize,

“Hey, you ain’t got to be right about everything, Jack.” (That was my Duck Dynasty Si impression for the day.)

Always know, no matter how hard things are, this too shall pass. Things will get better. They will get worse. It’s just life but it’s all in how you handle it.
So, the next time you face a trial, remember, the Lord is trying to teach you something. He loves you so much He does not want you to remain as you are. Submit to His will, so that you may be useful for His service.
I am so glad you stopped by today for a visit. You have just made my day! I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week. As for me, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.